In our lives at some point of time we may come across certain situations which may take our peace of mind in order to move ahead or get rid of that rut. This all happens due to our past Karmic influences. As a human beings in spite of all efforts, we struc
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS CHOICE Unforgettable . . . a book about Putin s Russia that is unlike any other. Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Say NothingFrom a Moscow correspondent for The New Yorker, a groundbreaking portrait of modern Russia and the inner struggles of the people who sustain Vladimir Putin s rule NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR AND KIRKUS REVIEWSIn this rich and novelistic tour of contemporary Russia, Joshua Yaffa introduces readers to some of the country s most remarkable figures from politicians and entrepreneurs to artists and historians who have built their careers and constructed their identities in the shadow of the Putin system. Torn between their own ambitions and the omnipresent demands of the state, each walks an individual path of compromise. Some muster cunning and cynicism to extract all manner of benefits and privileges from those in power. Others, finding themselves to be less adept, are left broken and demoralized. What binds them together is the tangled web of dilemmas and contradictions they face. Between Two Fires chronicles the lives of a number of strivers who understand that their dreams are best or only realized through varying degrees of cooperation with the Russian government. With sensitivity and depth, Yaffa profiles the director of the country s main television channel, an Orthodox priest at war with the church hierarchy, a Chechen humanitarian who turns a blind eye to persecutions, and many others. The result is an intimate and probing portrait of a nation that is much discussed yet little understood. By showing how citizens shape their lives around the demands of a capricious and frequently repressive state as often by choice as under threat of force Yaffa offers urgent lessons about the true nature of modern authoritarianism.Praise for Between Two Fires A deep and revealing portrait of life inside Vladimir Putin s Russia. . . . Yaffa mines a rich vein, describing his subjects moral compromises and often ingenious ways of engaging a crooked bureaucracy to show how the Kremlin sustains its authoritarianism. The New York Times Book Review Few journalists have penetrated so deep and with so much nuance into the moral ambiguities of Russia. If you want insight into the deeper distortions the Kremlin causes in people s psyches this book is invaluable. Peter Pomerantsev, author of Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible A stunning chronicle of Putin s new Russia . . . It celebrates the vitality of the Russian people even as it explores the compromises and accommodations that they must make. . . . This embrace of contradictions is what makes Between Two Fires such a poignant and poetic book. Alex Gibney, Air Mail
The final title in the brilliant Marsh Road Mysteries adventure series by hugely popular childrens author Elen Caldecott. For fans of the Laura Marlin Mysteries by Lauren St John. Meet Piotr, Minnie, Andrew, Flora and Sylvie the Marsh Road Mystery solvers. Sylvie Hampshire is in hospital. She knows she's responsible enough to take control of her diabetes medication, but now she has to prove it on the hospital ward. She's only been there a couple of hours when Barry, a therapy dog, goes missing in suspicious circumstances. It's time to bring in the gang! With their detective senses on high alert, the five friends set out to find Barry, but the stakes soon become much higher than they thought. Have they finally met their match? Not if Sylvie Hampshire has anything to do with it!
"This book delves into several illnesses that have infected humans and affected civilizations. Each chapter explores the history of a specific disease, detailing the symptoms, cures, and medical breakthroughs that it spawned"-- Smallpox! Rabies! Black Death! Throughout history humankind has been plagued by . . . well, by plagues. The symptoms of these diseases were gruesome-but the remedies were even worse. Get to know the ickiest illnesses that have infected humans and affected civilizations through the ages. Each chapter explores the story of a disease, including the scary symptoms, kooky cures, and brilliant breakthroughs that it spawned. Medical historian and bestselling author Lindsey Fitzharris lays out the facts with her trademark wit, and Adrian Teal adds humor with cartoons and caricatures drawn in pitch black and blood red. Diseases covered in this book include bubonic plague, smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis, cholera, and scurvy.Thanks to centuries of sickness and a host of history's most determined plague-busters, this riveting book features everything you've ever wanted to know about the world's deadliest diseases. From New York Times bestselling author Lindsey Fitzharris, a riveting middle grade nonfiction book about diseases that have shaped the course of human history.
An illustrated history of one of the most compelling and mysterious regions on earth. It is a unique travelogue and resource and will appeal to scholars and students of antiquity, history, archaeology and religious studies. The epic plains and arid deserts of Central Asia have witnessed some of the greatest migrations, as well as many of the most transformative developments, in the history of civilization. Christoph Baumer's ambitious treatment of the region charts the 3000-year drama of Scythians and Sarmatians; Soviets and transcontinental Silk Roads; trade routes and the transmission of ideas across the steppes; and, the breathless and brutal conquests of Alexander the Great and Chinghiz Khan. The epic plains and arid deserts of Central Asia have witnessed some of the greatest migrations, as well as many of the most transformative developments, in the history of civilization. Christoph Baumer's ambitious four-volume treatment of the region charts the 3000-year drama of Scythians and Sarmatians; Soviets and transcontinental Silk Roads; trade routes and the transmission of ideas across the steppes; and the breathless and brutal conquests of Alexander the Great and Chinghiz Khan. Masterfully interweaving the stories of individuals and peoples, the author's engaging prose is richly augmented throughout by color photographs taken on his own travels. For all the complexity of the history, Dr. Baumer, a noted authority on Central Asia, never loses sight of the sweeping grandeur of its overall setting. Volume 1 focuses on the geography of the area now occupied by present-day Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, northern Afghanistan, western and central Mongolia and parts of southern Russia and northern China. Discussing the changing climates of the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Ages, the author explores subjects as diverse as glacial retreat; the invention of the wheel; the legendary Cimmerians and Amazons; Hellenism and Zoroastrianism; and the Oxus Treasure. Future volumes will explore the later historical periods of the region.
A heartwarming and uplifting summer read for fans of Heidi Swain and Phillipa Ashley, by the author of The Country Village Christmas Show, The Country Village Summer Fete and The Country Village Winter Wedding. At eighty-two years old Zelda Grey is tired. Tired of how much slower she is physically and mentally. Tired of technology. Tired of being alone since her beloved cat, Flint, died just before Christmas. And tired of life. The only thing that brings Zelda joy these days is her allotment in the gorgeous village of Little Bramble, where she has lived her whole life, and her three cranky goats. Widow Mia Holmes always loved visiting Little Bramble Allotment with her husband, Gideon. But since his death she can't motivate herself. Despite putting on a brave face for her three sons and four grandchildren, she's reached breaking point, and isn't sure she can carry on. And history teacher Liz Carter thought she had it all. The perfect job, perfect boyfriend in Rhodri and the perfect wedding to plan. Until she found Rhodri in bed with the neighbour. Holed up in her sister's box room she wonders how it all went so wrong. As she wallows in her misery, her sister takes her in hand and drags her to Little Bramble Allotment and suddenly she discovers the wonders of planting, growing and getting her hands dirty. In an increasingly lonely world, these three women strike up an unlikely friendship and find that community, female friendship and the wonders of nature can truly be powerful healers. Autorid: Cathy Lake
Detailed drawings and interesting text make up this collection of comprehension activities. The book provides two distinct sections relating to each drawing and text: 1. Cloze activity pages: Each picture-story provides the reader with two exercises. First exercise: The reader is provided with a complete text and shows comprehension by completing the accompanying picture. Second exercise: The reader shows comprehension by completing a cloze task based on the accompanying picture. There is opportunity in some activities for slightly varied answers or drawings. If the answer or drawing provided can be justified by the instruction then it should be seen as acceptable. Cloze comprehension provides an ideal indication of comprehension levels. 2. Comprehension strategy pages: Each text has two additional comprehension pages that focus on a specific comprehension strategy. These pages can be used to teach these comprehension strategies. The texts and activities enable teachers to provide variety to any English language programme. Cloze is a reading comprehension activity in which words are deleted from a text. Readers are required to complete the blanks as they read to construct meaning. When completing a cloze text, readers have to search on either side of the missing word in the sentence to find what should be included. Readers must consider context as well as vocabulary. Cloze is commonly used as an assessment method because of its many advantages. Advantages of cloze: helps identify reader knowledge and understanding of the reading process; helps teachers work out the cueing systems readers use to construct meaning; can assess reader vocabulary and topic knowledge (and can also promote vocabulary production); helps readers monitor their understanding of a text as they read; encourages readers to think critically about, and analyse, a text; reinforces grammatical knowledge because readers need to work out what part of speech is required to fill the gap; and reinforces syntactical knowledge (the arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence). Autorid: Prim-Ed Publishing, RIC Publications
A stunningly illustrated A-Z celebration of popular indoor plantsStep inside the psychedelic world of Plantphabet, a magical A-Z celebration of indoor plants.Vividly brought to life in full-colour illustrations, discover bizarre and wonderful BFFs (best fronds forever) that help make you healthier and happier, and learn what makes them tick too.PRAISE FOR PLANTPHABET'Filled with glorious plant love, this alphabetic journey is sure to inspire joy for plant people of all sorts.' Jason Chongue, The Plant Society'Definitely our kind of alphabet! Featuring stunning, vibrant illustrations, Plantphabet is a visual feast for plant lovers.' Lauren Camilleri & Sophia Kaplan, Leaf Supply'Plantphabet is a fantastic decoding of the sometimes daunting decision to become a plant parent.' Benjamin Fountain, Florist & Art Director Autorid: Harper by Design
Spid is horrified to find litter has been thrown into his garden. But he soon realises that littering and rubbish aren't just a problem for him - they're a problem for the whole planet. So Spid decides to do something about it, but he needs an idea. A really good idea. And he needs one now ... This story includes 2 songs; 'Plan-it Earth' and 'Bag It, Bin It'. QR codes take readers to musical versions of the songs. Includes 'litter cycle' wallchart further helping children understand the effects of litter and pollution on the planet and that they can do something about it too. Spid is a lowly spider, who wants to better himself, write songs, and marry his girlfriend Bid, though he is prone to hilarious mishaps mostly of his own making. He is hard-working, cool, and a role model for young children. As well as encouraging children to read and love books, Spid's adventures also teach valuable life lessons, including determination and what psychologists call a 'growth mindset' (desire to better oneself and succeed), the importance of friendship, and sustainability. With very creative prose, Spid's adventures are fun for parents, and teachers to read to, and with, their children. They present lots of opportunities to invest dramatic licence thus helping adults and children interact and engage. The humour works at multiple levels from silly and slapstick to more sophisticated wordplay and concepts. Thus, children will discover more and enjoy reading the stories time and time again. Autorid: John Eaton, Julia Vasina
